Child carrier with removable liner

ABSTRACT

A pack is securable to a person for carrying a child. The pack includes a harness, a support enclosure, and a removable liner. The removable liner is secured to the support enclosure and has peripheral edges and tabs extending from at least portions of the edges. The tabs extend over the edge of the support enclosure along the leg and arm openings of the closure and along the top of the enclosure near the position for the child&#39;s head. The tabs overlap the exterior of the enclosure and lie adjacent an outer face of the closure. Fasteners secure the tabs to the exterior of the support enclosure away from pressure or rubbing contact of the child.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to packs that may be worn on the frontor back of a user and, more specifically, to child carrier packs forsafely and conveniently carrying a child.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Child carrier packs have been available for some time to help adultscarry infants and small children. Typically, the packs are configuredwith a harness and child support seat for carrying a child proximateeither the chest or back of the adult. The harness extends over theshoulders of the wearer. Some versions also include a waist belt. Theseat into which the child is situated typically encircles the child toavoid the likelihood that the child should fall out. The extent ofsupport and securement for the child may increase with smaller childrenand infants. Thus, the seat may be an enclosure around at least thetorso of the child with the child's head, legs, and arms extending outfrom the enclosure.

As the child comes into extensive contact with the enclosure, packliners have been used in some instances. Such liners allow for thelaundering of a portion of the pack that may become soiled by the child.To increase the comfort to the child, some liners are padded.Nevertheless, the child may come into contact with the other portions ofthe carrier or with fasteners, edges, or other carrier components thatmay be uncomfortable or become soiled. Enclosure edges near the child'shead, legs, or arms may chafe the child. Such edges will also be a primelocation to become dirty.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The child carrier of the present invention includes a removable liner.The removable liner of the present invention includes the advantage ofhaving extension tabs that fold around the edges of the child-supportenclosure. The tabs are secured to the exterior face of the enclosure.Thus, a removable liner is provided that is washable separate from themain carrier body. The liner covers portions of the carrier body thatare most likely to become dirty and areas to provide a more comfortableinterface for the child being carried with a softer, padded material.Situating fasteners on the outer face of the enclosure helps secure theliner to the periphery of the enclosure interior, in desired locations,and avoids the fasteners bearing against the weight of the child orchafing against the child's body.

The present invention provides a child carrier for a person to wear ontheir body—either the person's front or back. The carrier includes aharness, a shell, and a liner. The harness has straps adapted to be wornby the person. The shell is coupled to the harness. The shell includes aseat and an upwardly extending support enclosure. The enclosure hasperipheral edges, an interior face, and an exterior face. The liner isremovably coupled to the shell. The liner and the shell make up thecarrier body. The liner includes at least some periphery portionsmatching some peripheral edges of the shell. The liner has tabsextending from periphery portions. The tabs fold over peripheral edgesof the shell to lie adjacent the exterior face of the shell.

In the preferred embodiment, the fasteners are fixed to the tabs. Thefasteners are releasably securable to the shell. In one aspect of theinvention, the fasteners secure to the exterior of the shell. Releasablefasteners securable between the shell and the harness are also providedin one embodiment of the intention. The shell includes sleeves withinwhich at least a portion of the releasable fasteners are secured. Thesleeves protect the child from full contact with the releasable fasters.Releasable fasteners, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, may also beprovided between the liner and the interior face of the shell.

In one aspect of the invention, the harness includes two shoulder strapseach having two ends. Both ends are secured to the seat of theenclosure. One of the straps has a releasable buckle proximate the seatfor separating the strap from the seat.

In a further aspect of the invention, the upwardly extending supportenclosure includes lower arms securable to the harness. The lower armsform leg holes between the seat and the lower periphery of the lowerarms. At least one of the tabs extends over the edge of the shell in thearea of at least a portion of the leg holes. The upwardly extendingsupport enclosure preferably also includes upper arms securable to theharness above the lower arms. Side recesses are formed between the upperarms and the lower arms, through which a child's arms may extend. Atleast one of the tabs extends over the edge of the shell in the area ofat least a portion of each of the recesses. In a further aspect of theinvention, the fasteners are secured to at least one of the tabs, thefasteners being securable to the shell.

In accordance with additional aspects of the invention, a pack isprovided that may be donned by a person for carrying a child. The packincludes a harness, a support enclosure, and a removable liner. Theharness has at least one strap extendable over the shoulder of theperson. The strap has a first end and a second end. The supportenclosure secures the child. The support enclosure includes an uppersupport panel and a seat. The upper support panel has lower right andleft arms with releasable fasteners proximate the ends of the arms. Thereleasable fasteners are securable to the harness. The upper support hasa peripheral edge. The seat extends from the upper support. It issecured to at least one strap. The seat has a peripheral edge and formsleg openings between the seat and the lower right and left arms. Theremovable liner is secured to the support structure. The removable linerhas peripheral edges and tabs extending from at least portions of thoseedges. At least one of the tabs extends over the edge of the uppersupport panel along each of the leg openings and lies adjacent to theouter face of the support enclosure.

In a further aspect of the invention, the support enclosure includes ahead panel extending above the lower arms. The head panel has right andleft upper arms securable to the harness. The region between the upperarms and the lower arms forms child arm openings. The liner includestabs extending over an edge of the upper enclosure in the region of thechild arm openings. Preferably, the tabs overlap the exterior of thesupport closure and include fasteners for securement to the exterior ofthe support enclosure.

As may be appreciated from the foregoing summary, the invention providesa comfortable pack that is easy to use and clean. The liner stays inplace, protects the pack edges from becoming soiled and protects thechild from the more rigid supporting enclosure edges. The fastenerplacement on the exterior of the enclosure also adds to comfort of thechild and maintains the placement of the liner until removal is desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention aredescribed in detail below with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child carrier of the present inventionin use;

FIG. 2 is a front-elevational view of the carrier of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a rear-elevational view of the carrier of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side-elevational view of the carrier of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view of the carrier with the child enclosure unclipped fromthe upper portion of the harness and folded out;

FIG. 6 a is a view similar to FIG. 5, but with the liner removed; and

FIG. 6 b is a view of the liner separate from the carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides an improved child carrier with aremovable liner. The liner includes extension tabs that fold over theedge of the carrier child enclosure with fasteners on the tabs to secureto the exterior of the enclosure. The carrier thus provides a secure andcomfortable location for a child that may be easily cleaned.

FIG. 1 illustrates carrier 10 in use. Note in this example, that thechild is facing the adult. However, depending on the age and strength ofthe child, the child may be reversed to face forward with a top flap ofthe carrier folded over to allow enhanced movement by the child. Thecarrier may also be adapted for use on the back on the adult.

Carrier 10 includes a carrier body 12 and a harness 14. Carrier body 12encircles the child such that the child's torso is substantiallyenclosed with legs and arms extending from openings in the carrier body12. The child's head also extends upwardly from the carrier and may beat least partially supported by carrier body 12. Harness 14 is fixedlysecured to a seat portion of the carrier body and is preferably clippedto an upper portion of the carrier body with removable fasteners. Aharness 14 extends over the shoulders, chest, and back of the user.Harness 14 preferably crosses the back of the user to ensure carrierbody 12 rides securely while the adult user is walking and engaging inother activities.

As illustrated in the figures, carrier body 12 includes a shell 16 and aliner 18 coupled to the shell. Most of liner 18 is positioned on theinterior of shell 16. Thus, liner 18 provides a comfortable interfacefor the child held within carrier body 12. Carrier body 12 may beslightly rigid or at least semi-rigid to provide adequate support forthe child within carrier 10. Liner 18 is constructed with a soft foammaterial nested between two layers of fabric or other flexible materialand is much less rigid than shell 16. This allows shell 16 to providethe superior support, while liner 18 provides superior comfort with theadded feature of removability for cleaning or replacement.

Harness 14 includes a first strap 20 and a second strap 22 extendingfrom the seat of shell 16. The straps 20, 22 cross one another afterthey extend over the shoulders of the user. Their lower ends are alsosecured to shell 16. A rear panel 24 is provided where straps 20 and 22cross to help maintain the proper orientation of straps 20 and 22. Rearpanel 24 is preferably somewhat diamond shaped, but may be square,triangular, or of another shape to interface with the straps and helpmaintain the orientation of one strap relative to the other. This alsohelps hold the straps on the user's back and shoulders with the properplacement for a comfortable and safe carry. Rear panel 24 is preferablyconstructed of two layers of material stitched together peripherallywith slits near the edges through which the straps are routed (see FIG.3).

First strap 20 and second strap 22 have first and second ends. Firststrap first end 26 is preferably fixedly secured to the left side ofshell 16 by stitching. First end 26 extends upwardly and outwardly, suchthat it can extend over the shoulder of the wearer and down the back.First strap first end 26 extends through rear panel 24 and is secured toa strap adjustment coupler 29. First strap second end 28 is loopedthrough strap adjustment coupler 29 on one end and fixedly secured toshell 16 on the other. A portion of first strap second end 28 hangs fromstrap adjustment coupler 29 to be tugged by the user to adjust the fitof first strap 20. First strap second end 28 also includes anintermediate first strap side buckle 30 that may be disengaged to allowease of donning the carrier. The user simply disengages buckle 30,slides his or her head and left arm into place, then secures buckle 30under the right arm. Side buckle 30 includes a male portion 30 a and afemale portion 30 b that are easily clipped together to complete theloop of first strap 20 to shell 16.

First strap first end 26 is preferably constructed of polyester felt,leather, and nylon for an outer enclosure, with a foam material nestedthere between for increased comfort. First end 26 is somewhat more rigidthan second end 28. Second end 28 is preferably constructed of cottonwebbing material, but alternatively may be of nylon webbing. It is,therefore, more flexible while still providing excellent tensilestrength. The webbing material of second end 28 is well adapted to beingused in adjustment coupler 29. Second end 28 preferably includes an endpiece, either of folded strap material or separate material secured tothe strap to prevent accidental exit of the strap through adjustmentcoupler 29.

Second strap 22 is constructed and configured in a similar manner tofirst strap 20, except that side buckle 30 is omitted on second strap 22in the preferred embodiment. Thus, second strap 22 includes a secondstrap first end 32 and a second strap second end 34. The two portionsare coupled with a strap adjustment coupler 29. Second strap 22 alsoforms a closed loop in conjunction with shell 16 along the chest, overthe shoulder, down the back, and to the side of the user.

As best seen in FIG. 5, carrier body includes a seat 36 having a seatflair 38, lower arms 40 and upper arms 42. In the coupled configurationfor carrier use in holding a child, seat 36 is the lower-most portion ofcarrier body 12. A large portion of the weight of the child is held byseat 36. As seen in FIG. 1, the legs of the child extend out of carrierbody 12 on either side of seat 36. The rear portion of seat 36 extendsinto seat flair 38—a portion that tapers slightly wider to connectionswith first and second straps 20, 22.

Opposite from seat flair 38, carrier body 12 tapers outwardly even widerto form lower arms 40. Lower arms 40 are configured to extend around thesides of the child being carried above the legs of the child. If thechild is a small infant, the child's arms may nest inside lower arms 40;whereas if the child is larger the child's arms may extend over lowerarms 40. In some embodiments, even small infants may have their armsextend out over lower arms 40. Arm recesses 44 are created between lowerarms 40 and upper arms 42. Arm recesses 44 also create a narrowedportion 46 in carrier body 12. This narrowed portion creates a naturalfold line, such that upper arms 42 may be folded down adjacent to lowerarms 40 for children that do not require head support. This may beespecially beneficial if the child is facing away from the adultcarrying them—back to chest instead of chest to chest.

Carrier body 12 is preferably further coupled to harness 14 with fourbuckles: lower buckles 48 coupling lower arms 40 and upper buckles 50coupling upper arms 42. Each of buckles 48 and 50 preferably includes amale portion 48 a, 50 a secured to first and second straps 20, 22, and afemale end 48 b, 50 b secured to upper or lower arms 40, 42. In placingthe child, the harness may be secured to the adult with carrier body 12having buckles 48 and 50 uncoupled. In this configuration, carrier bodymay be laid on a table or held by the adult while the child is held inplace by the adult. The lower and upper buckles 48, 50 are then secured.Upper buckles 48 preferably include an adjustment strap to tighten thecarrier to the harness to fit as needed.

As discussed above, upper and lower buckle female ends 48 b, 50 b aresecured to upper and lower arms 40, 42, respectively. The securement ofthe female ends of the upper buckles 50 b is substantially within uppersleeves on the ends of the upper arms 42, whereas the securement of thefemale ends of the lower buckles 48 b is substantially within lowersleeves on the lower arms 40. The sleeves are formed from the ends ofthe upper and lower arms. They provide a smooth interface to the childto reduce any rubbing or irritable chafing. The sleeves are created bysecuring the buckles between layers of material or within a sleeve ofmaterial with only small portions of the buckles exposed. Cutouts 60, 62are preferably provided in upper sleeves 52 to allow access to press thebuckles for release from female portions 50 b. In alternate embodiments,the sleeve material is soft enough that cutouts are not necessary topress the buckle for release. In the preferred embodiment, lower sleevesdo not cover quite as much of lower buckles 48, such that they can beopened without cutouts. In alternate embodiments, lower sleeves 54substantially cover lower buckles 48.

In another feature of the preferred embodiment that aids in adjustingthe fit of carrier body 12 to small infants, buttons 56 and button tabs58 are provided. Buttons 56 are secured to the edge of carrier body 12below lower arms 40. They are preferably secured to liner 18, but mayalternatively be secured to shell 16. Button tabs 58 are secured to theedges of seat flair 38. Securing buttons 56 to the button holes of tabs58 creates a smaller leg opening and a more snug fit of seat 36 to thesmall infant.

FIGS. 5 and 6 also illustrate the details of liner 18 and its attachmentto shell 16 of carrier body 12. Liner 18 generally has a shapecomplementary to shell 16, as it mates thereto with various fasteners.FIG. 5 illustrates carrier 10 with upper and lower arms 42, 40 detachedfrom harness 14 and folded out flat, away from straps 20, 22. In thisview, liner 18 substantially covers the inside surface of shell 16 andfollows the outer edges thereof for the same basic shape, such that theinner surface of carrier body 12 is comfortable and padded. The outerface 66 of the liner is shown.

FIG. 6 a illustrates carrier body 12 without liner 18 attached. FIG. 6 bshows the liner from attachment face 64 that faces shell 16 and attachesthereto. Note the hook-and-loop fasteners 76 that are secured to theextremities of liner 18 and shell 16. Preferably, the hook portion ofthe hook-and-loop fastener is secured to the shell, while the loop(softer portion) is secured to the liner. Hook fasteners are secured tothe seat 36 and seat flair 38 regions, to the outer ends of the upperand lower arms 42, 40, and on the upper portion between the upper arms.Corresponding loop fasteners are found on the liner.

Liner 18 also includes extensions in the form of tabs that fold at theedges of liner 18 for a more comfortable and secure attachment of liner18 to shell 16. An upper tab 68 extends along the upper periphery ofliner 18 between the ends of upper arms 42. This provides a comfortableinterface for the child along the top of the carrier body. It alsoprotects shell 16 from becoming soiled in this region. Four tabfasteners 74 are preferably provided in the form of female snap portionsthat interface with complementary male snap portions on the exteriorsurface of shell 16. These fasteners are thus secured away from rubbingcontact with the child and they are not in a direct area of contact thatsupports the weight of the child in carrier 10.

Arm tabs 70 are also provided along at least a portion of arm recesses44. In the preferred embodiment, arm tabs 70 extend along an upperportion of arm recesses 44. Alternatively they may also extend along thelower portion. Similar to upper tabs, they are secured with tabfasteners 74 to the exterior of shell 16.

Leg tabs 72 are secured along the top of the leg opening in a likemanner. They may also be secured along more of the opening in alternateembodiments.

All tabs share the advantages of covering an edge, making a morecomfortable carrier 10, and protecting portions of shell 16 frombecoming soiled. Positioning the tab fasteners on the external surfaceof the shell furthers these purposes and provides a more secure fit ofliner 18 over shell 16.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, as noted above, many changes can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, differentfasteners, other than snaps may be used in securing the tabs to theoutside of the shell. The extent of the tabs may be increased, both inthe length and portion of the periphery along with they extend and inthe width and overlap with the exterior of the shell. The liner mayfurther extend onto a portion of the harness to increase child comfortwhere contact may be made. Alternate materials may be used for mostparts of the carrier. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is notlimited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, theinvention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims thatfollow.

1. A child carrier for a person to wear on their body to carry a child,the carrier comprising: a harness having straps adapted to be worn bythe person; a shell coupled to said harness, said shell having a seatand an upwardly extending support enclosure, said enclosure havingperipheral edges, an interior face, and an exterior face; and a linerremovably coupled to said shell, said liner including at least someperiphery portions matching some peripheral edges of said shell, saidliner having tabs extending from periphery portions, said tabs foldingover peripheral edges of said shell to lie adjacent the exterior face ofsaid shell.
 2. The child carrier of claim 1, further comprisingfasteners on said tabs securable to said shell.
 3. The child carrier ofclaim 2, wherein said fasteners secure to the exterior of said shell. 4.The child carrier of claim 3, further comprising releasable fastenerssecurable between said shell and said harness, said shell having sleeveswithin which at least a portion of said releasable fasteners aresecured, said sleeves protecting the child from full contact with saidreleasable fasteners.
 5. The child carrier of claim 4, furthercomprising releasable fasteners between said liner and the interior faceof said shell.
 6. The child carrier of claim 3, wherein said harnessincludes two shoulder straps having two ends and secured at both ends tosaid seat, one of said straps having a releasable buckle proximate saidseat for separating said strap from said seat.
 7. The child carrier ofclaim 1, further comprising releasable fasteners securable between saidshell and said harness, said shell having sleeves within which at leasta portion of said releasable fasteners are secured, said sleevesprotecting the child from full contact with said releasable fasteners.8. The child carrier of claim 7, further comprising releasable fastenersbetween said liner and the interior face of said shell.
 9. The childcarrier of claim 1, wherein said upwardly extending support enclosureincludes lower arms securable to said harness, said lower arms formingleg holes between said seat and said lower arms, at least one of saidtabs extending over the edge of said shell in the area of at least aportion of the leg holes.
 10. The child carrier of claim 9, wherein saidupwardly extending support enclosure further includes upper armssecurable to said harness above said lower arms, side recesses beingformed between said upper arms and said lower arms through which achild's arms may extend, at least one of said tabs extending over theedge of said shell in the area of at least a portion of the recesses.11. The child carrier of claim 10, further comprising fasteners securedto at least one of said tabs, said fasteners being securable to saidshell.
 12. A pack securable to a person for carrying a child, the packcomprising: a harness having at least one strap for extending over theshoulder of the person, said strap having a first end and a second end;a support enclosure for securing the child, said support enclosurecomprising: an upper support panel having lower right and left armscoupled to said harness, said upper support having a peripheral edge;and a seat extending from said upper support and secured to said atleast one strap, said seat having a peripheral edge and forming legopenings between said seat and said lower right and left arms; and aremovable liner secured to said support enclosure, said removable linerhaving peripheral edges and tabs extending from at least portions ofsaid edges, at least one of said tabs extending over the edge of saidupper support panel along each of the leg openings and lying adjacent anouter face of said support enclosure.
 13. The pack of claim 12, whereinsaid support enclosure further comprises a head panel extending abovesaid lower arms, said head panel having right and left upper armssecurable to said harness, a region between said upper arms and saidlower arms forming child arm openings, wherein said liner includes tabsextending over an edge of said upper enclosure in the region of saidchild arm openings.
 14. The pack of claim 13, wherein said tabs overlapthe exterior of said support enclosure and include fasteners forsecurement to the exterior of said support enclosure.
 15. The pack ofclaim 12, wherein said tabs overlap the exterior of said supportenclosure and at least some of said tabs include fasteners forsecurement to the exterior of said support enclosure.
 16. The pack ofclaim 12, wherein said upper support panel includes releasable fastenersproximate the ends of said arms that are securable to said harness. 17.A pack securable to a person for carrying a child, the pack comprising:a harness having at least one strap for extending over the shoulder ofthe person, said strap having a first end and a second end; a supportenclosure for securing the child, said support enclosure comprising: anupper support panel having a peripheral edge and lower right and leftarms with releasable fasteners proximate the ends of said arms that aresecurable to said harness, wherein said support panel further comprisesa head panel extending above said lower arms, said head panel havingright and left upper arms securable to said harness, a region betweensaid upper arms and said lower arms forming child arm openings; and aseat extending from said upper support and secured to said at least onestrap, said seat having a peripheral edge and forming leg openingsbetween said seat and said lower right and left arms; and a removableliner secured to said support enclosure, said removable liner havingperipheral edges and tabs extending from at least portions of saidedges, at least one of said tabs extending over the edge of said supportenclosure along each of the leg openings, at least one of said tabsextending over an edge of said support enclosure in the region of saidchild arm openings, and at least one of said tabs extending over a topedge of said head panel, and wherein said tabs overlap the exterior ofsaid support enclosure and lie adjacent an outer face of said support,and at least one of said tabs includes a fastener for securement to theexterior of said support enclosure.
 18. The pack of claim 17, whereineach of said tabs includes a snap fastener securable to an exteriorsurface of said support enclosure.
 19. The pack of claim 18, furthercomprising a fastener situated between said liner and an interior faceof said support enclosure.